Oculus Rift Setup: Everything You Need To Know

Through virtual reality, people can become part of a revolution that will only evolve and grow stronger as time goes on. Aside from providing multiple fun interactions with video games and movies, virtual reality can also be used in other, more professional fields, both now and in the future. If you are an Oculus Rift owner, you can see the potential that virtual reality has. This guide will help you with your Oculus Rift setup. 

Setting up your Oculus Rift device isn't all that complicated because you already have the hardware. All that is left is to download the appropriate software as part of the Oculus Rift setup and configure it with the hardware. However, if you are completely new to the entire virtual reality revolution, it's best to familiarize yourself with your Oculus Rift device and see what it can do for you so that you can take advantage of all the features it has to offer.

So, what exactly is the Oculus Rift? We already know that it is a device that allows its users to experience virtual reality, but is there anything more to it?

From a historical perspective, the Oculus Rift goes back to 2012 when Palmer Luckey, the device's inventor, unveiled a prototype at the annual E3 gaming conference. Shortly after, Luckey founded Irvine, Calif. based Oculus VR with Brendan Iribe, who became CEO. Then in August 2012, the pair launched a Kickstarter campaign to sell the prototype developer versions of the Oculus Rift, ultimately raising $2.4 million. Two years later, Oculus VR was purchased by Facebook for $2 billion, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg saying that the device ""has the chance to create the most social platform ever."

How It Works

With history out of the way, now would be a good idea to talk about how the Oculus Rift works. The Oculus Rift is a headset that looks like a pair of goggles with two screens, one for each eye. Each screen has a lens that refocuses the image in order to create a stereoscopic 3D version of that same image. To adjust the image accordingly during movement, the Oculus Rift has special sensors that track the wearer's head. In other words, the look of the image keeps up with the head's movement, thus remaining the same.

It's also important to emphasize that the Oculus Rift mainly deals with virtual reality, not augmented reality. But what is the difference between the two and why can't we apply the augmented reality concept to the Oculus Rift? Augmented reality's concept involves placing images and graphics over a view of the real world. Because the Oculus Rift does not have a camera that allows wearers to see outside of the headset, the Oculus Rift cannot perform the functions of augmented reality.

Now that you have familiarized yourself with the Oculus Rift, how it works, and where it came from, it's time to guide you through the Oculus Rift setup process.

With your newly obtained Oculus Rift headset device, now is the time to set it all up. The Oculus Rift setup process will be divided into two parts: software and hardware. Since you already have all the hardware, it's best to start with the software setup.

Software

Into order for you to use your Oculus Rift, you will have to download and install the Oculus app and calibrate it with your Oculus Rift. The setup can take between 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Also, make sure that your computer meets the standard System Specifications and that your graphics card is up to date (although it's fair to say you already knew that before purchasing the Oculus Rift). 

1. Download and install the Oculus Setup from www.oculus.com/setup. The process is just like downloading and installing any other software from the internet.
2. Next, create your Oculus account. If you already have one, then you can just sign in. 
3. If you plan on making any purchases from the Oculus store in the future, you can also add your payment method and choose a 4-digit Oculus PIN.

With the software installation process out of the way, next up in the Oculus Rift setup guide is the hardware process.

Hardware

Like we have said earlier, make sure that your computer's specs and graphics card are up to date. However, if you have purchased the Oculus Rift, then you are fully aware of whether or not your system meets the demands/requirements. With that out of the way, now is the time to set up the device itself.

1. Unpack your device and remove the protective covers and films.
2. Connect the HDMI end of the headset cable to the HDMI port on your graphics card. It's best to not use the HDMI port on your motherboard.
3. After you connect the HDMI cable, connect the USB end of the headset cable to a USB 3.0 (blue) port on your computer.
4. Connect the sensor cable to another USB 3.0 port.

Once everything has been successfully connected, you should see three green icons in the lower left corner of the Oculus screen. The three green icons indicate that both the headset and the sensor have been successfully connected to your computer.

Before you can put on your Oculus Rift headset device, there are a few more things you have to take care of. You'll need to update your firmware by clicking Update Now on the firmware update screen. Then connect your Oculus Remote by pressing and holding the select button. The purpose of the remote is to help you navigate in Oculus Home, including some games and apps.

Remove the Xbox One Wireless Controller and sync it with your device. Of course, you want to put in 2 AA batteries and then press the Xbox button to power on the controller. Then, connect the Xbox wireless adapter to your computer, press and hold the sync button until the LED blinks, and then sync the controller with the adapter (the sync button for the controller is located on the front edge).

Set up your Oculus Sensor so that it's able to track your movement. To do that, put in in a place where it'll be able to capture you and your full height. Make sure that the sensor is aiming at your head. Readjust the angle or the position of the sensor until it can capture your headset. Then set up touch. If you haven't already, connect your second sensor and follow the instructions and make sure the sensors are placed in positions where they'll be able to track you all the time.

The final step in setting up your Oculus Rift is setting up something called the Guardian System. The Guardian System lets you select an area within your room where you'll be using the Oculus Rift and the Touch feature and alerts you if you are about to step out from the area. While you are selecting the desired area, keep in mind that it needs to be free of all environmental hazards because you do not want to trip or knock anything down while playing.  

After you have set everything up, including the necessary software and hardware, stand inside the Guardian System and face the motion sensor. Next, put on the Oculus Rift and adjust it in a way so that the image you're looking at is visible. Once the motion sensor is able to verify your current location and position, press the "Select" button on the Oculus remote and you're all set.

If at any point you have a problem with the installation or the Oculus Rift setup process, you can visit the main website for more information and solutions. Here are a few common problems that you might experience and ways to fix them.

Again, if you have any issues, visit the official Oculus Rift website.

Once you have finished going through the entire Oculus Rift setup process, you can go ahead and welcome yourself into the world of virtual reality! At first, the process might seem slightly intimidating because you have to connect so many things and install the proper software, but if your computer is up to date, has the standard system requirements, and a proper graphics card, you should be good to go.

The same goes for the hardware. If you have enough room and setup the sensors in locations where they can fully capture you and your movement, you shouldn't have any problems.